An independent Birmingham planning and development agency has been acquired by global consultancy and project management group Arcadis.

Edgbaston-based Brooke Smith Planning has become part of the Arcadis group which has offices all over the world including in Baskerville House in Birmingham.

Established in 1994 by Louise Brooke-Smith, the consultancy offers planning advice in areas such as housing and the public sector.

Ms Brooke-Smith will lead the planning capabilities across the UK as well as head up the Arcadis social value client offering, a newly created service to look at how businesses can further improve quality of life for clients and the communities they serve.

She said: "The devolution agenda, and all that it brings with it, has only increased the need for the very best when it comes to land use planning and development advice.